Portable display device

ABSTRACT

The present invention is directed to a portable display device. The display device comprises at least two panel housings for receiving display elements, respectively, means for foldable connecting the panel housings, a connection cable for connecting the circuits of the display elements provided at the panel housings and a cover for covering the connection cable not to be exposed. Accordingly, the flexible and weak connection cable may be protected.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a divisional of application Ser. No. 11/658,056filed on Jan. 19, 2007, which is the National Stage of InternationalApplication No. PCT/KR05/02338 filed on Jan. 19, 2007, which claims thebenefit of Korea Patent Application Serial no. 10-2004-0056225 filed onJul. 20, 2004, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein byreference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

(a) Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a portable display device having atleast two foldable housings, and more particularly to a portable displaydevice that connection cable for circuits in the housings are coverednot to be exposed, when display elements in the housings are unfolded torealize the large-sized screen.

(b) Description of the Related Art

Conventionally, the technology for realizing a large-sized screen withtwo or more display elements was applied in a large display device. Inrecent years, as the mobile information system has been developed tohave a wireless internet function, a need of the large-sized screen ismore increased. However, the single large-sized screen could not meetthe most of the portable characteristics of the portable display deviceand a portable display device of foldable type is suggested.

Generally, as the flat display elements used for the portable displaydevice, a liquid crystal display (LCD), a thin film transistor(TFT)-LCD, a field emission display (FED), a plasma display panel (PDP),an electro luminescent (EL), an electronic paper and etc., have beenused.

In the foldable type portable display device with multiple displayelements for increasing the portable characteristics, connection cableis used to connect the circuits in the adjacent panel housings, but theconnection cable is flexible and easily damaged with an outer impact.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been made in an effort to solve the abovedescribed problems.

It is an objective of the present invention to provide a portabledisplay device which comprises at least two foldable panel housings forreceiving display elements, circuits and etc., connection cable for thecircuits in the housings are arranged not to be exposed, when the panelhousing is unfolded to form a single display screen

To achieve the above objectives, a portable display device according tothe present invention comprises at least two panel housings forreceiving display elements, respectively, means for foldable connectingthe panel housings, a connection cable for connecting the circuits ofthe display elements provided at the panel housings and a cover forcovering the connection cable not to be exposed.

The holes preferably serve as a path for the connection cable are formedat the adjacent sidewalls of the panel housings and a cover for coveringthe connection cable may be provided at the sidewalls of the panelhousing.

When there is a gap between the borders of the display elements, it ispreferable to provide an inner cover for covering the connection cableexposed to the inner side. Also, when there is a gap between the bordersof the display elements, the display device is preferable to be adaptedto cover the gap.

In accordance with another embodiment, the portable display device maycomprises the connecting means including a cap typed connecting memberand an insertion typed connecting member, which is inserted into the captyped connecting member, the connecting members serving as a path forthe connecting cable.

One of the connecting members is preferably attached to the bottom of arecess formed at the panel housings, respectively.

A hole may be formed at the portion of the cap typed connecting membercontacting the recess of the panel housing.

A hole may be formed at the portion of the insertion typed connectingmember contacting the recess of the panel housing, when the hole of therecess is positioned at third area of the coordinates, the hole of theinsertion typed connecting member is formed over the first and secondareas of the coordinates.

The panel housings may comprises the first panel housing and the secondpanel housing, a portion of the cap typed connecting member is arrangedunder the inner surface of the first panel housing, the insertion typedconnecting member is provided at the second panel housing, wherein thehole of the insertion typed connecting member is formed over the portioncorresponding to the hole of the cap typed connecting member when thepanel housings are folded or unfolded.

The cap typed connecting member and the insertion typed connectingmember may be provided as a pivotal connecting means, the first panelhousing including recesses for mounting the cap typed connecting member,the second panel housing including recesses for mounting the insertiontyped connecting member and wherein the first panel housing includesrecesses for receiving the insertion typed connecting member insertedinto the cap typed connecting member and the second panel housingincludes recesses for receiving the cap typed connecting member.

The panel housings may comprises the first panel housing and the secondpanel housing, a portion of the cap typed connecting member is arrangedunder the inner surface of the first panel housing and the insertiontyped connecting member is provided at the second panel housing, whereinthe first panel housing includes recesses for receiving the insertiontyped connecting member assembled with the cap typed connecting member.

According to another embodiment of the invention, a portion of theinsertion typed connecting member may be arranged under the innersurface of the first panel housing and the cap typed connecting memberis provided at the second panel housing. The first panel housing mayinclude recesses for receiving the cap typed connecting member assembledwith the insertion typed connecting member.

One of the connecting members may be integrated with the panel housing.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described more indetail hereinafter.

The portable display device of the invention has advantageous effectsthat the portable display device is foldable and the flexible and weakconnection cable provided between the panel housings is not shown and isprotected by covering it by means of the cover.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1 to 3 show a foldable type portable display device according to afirst embodiment of the present invention, which the portable displaydevice is in an unfolded position;

FIGS. 4 to 6 are sectional views showing unfolded panel housings of theportable display device of the present invention;

FIGS. 7 to 9 show a baseplate for mounting a display panel,respectively;

FIGS. 10 to 12 are views, respectively showing a display panel enclosedby a chassis;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a portable display device in a foldedposition;

FIG. 14 is a view showing a housing with a panel mounted thereon;

FIG. 15 is a exploded view showing a housing, a panel with connectioncable and a chassis enclosing the panel;

FIG. 16 is a view partially illustrating a foldable display device, inwhich connection cable is shown;

FIGS. 17 and 18 show an inner cover for connection cable;

FIGS. 19 and 20 show connection cable, respectively;

FIGS. 21 to 24 show a pivotal connection structure for the two panelhousings;

FIGS. 25 to 28 show 2 shows embodiments of the present invention, inwhich the first and second pivotal connecting members serve as a pathfor connection cable;

FIGS. 29 to 32 show the first connecting member provided at the secondpanel housing;

FIG. 33 shows a display device having another pivotal connectionstructure;

FIG. 34 shows the first and second connecting members provided in thefirst and second panel housings for their pivotal movement;

FIGS. 35 and 36 show the first connecting member and the second panelhousing;

FIG. 37 shows the second connecting member and the first panel housing;

FIG. 38 shows the first panel housing provided with the first connectingmember;

FIGS. 39 to 41 show another embodiment of the connecting membersprovided in the panel housings;

FIGS. 42 and 43 show alternative embodiment of the connecting members.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

The present invention provides a foldable type portable display devicerealizing a large-sized screen by connecting at least two flat displayelements. As a display panel, a liquid crystal display (LCD), a thinfilm transistor (TFT)-LCD, a field emission display (FED), a plasmadisplay panel (PDP), an electro luminescent (EL), an electronic paperand etc., may be used.

To form a single large screen by adjacently arranging at least two flatdisplay elements, the opposite sidewalls of the display elements shouldbe coming into contact or be positioned within the distance of 4 mm,which means at least two display elements should be arranged enoughadjacently to form a single screen.

According to the present invention, two flat display elements may form alarge-sized screen by adjacently arranging the flat display elements.

FIGS. 1 to 3 show a portable display device according to a firstembodiment of the present invention, in which the display device isshown in a variety of states, i.e., in folded and unfolded states.

As shown in FIG. 1, the portable display device includes a pair of panelhousings 20 and 40 for respectively receiving a pair of flat displayelements 2 and 4. When the display device is unfolded, the displayelements come into contact or the sidewalls thereof are adjacentlypositioned within distance of 4 to 5 mm to form a large-sized screen.

The two panel housings 20 and 40 are connected by means of theconnecting means 6, which comprises the first and second connectingmembers 62 and 61 as an axle, the first connecting member 62 beinginserted into and engaged with the second connecting member 61.

Particularly, in accordance with the present invention, the connectingmeans 6 is arranged in the panel housings so that the display elements 2and 4 may be positioned in the shortest distance.

FIG. 2 is a view showing the folded display device.

A cover 10 is provided at the adjacent side portions of the panelhousings 20 and 40 for protection thereof.

Also, the cover 10 covers the adjacent side portion of the display, whenthe display housings are folded. However, when the display housings areunfolded, the cover does not cover the side walls of the displayhousings, so that the side walls may be closely positioned to form alarge-sized screen.

FIG. 3 shows the folded display device with the cover exploded.

A recess 60 is formed at each of the adjacent sidewalls of the housings20 and 40 for allowing the cover to be inserted therein when thehousings are folded. There is a gap 8 a between the display elements 2and 4 in the folded position of the housings, and it is preferred thatif possible, the gap should be small.

In FIG. 3, the adjacent sidewalls of the display elements 2 and 4 aredepicted in the dotted lines, since the sidewalls of the displayelements 2 and 4 may be exposed or not. That is, in the structure shownin FIG. 4, the sidewalls of the display elements are exposed, but in thestructure that borders are provided in the housings as shown in FIG. 6,the sidewalls of the display elements are not exposed. The cover 10 maybe moved in a inserted position in which the cover is inserted in thecorresponding recess or in a covering position in interrelationship withthe unfolding or folding of the panel housings 20 and 40, therebypreventing the cover to interrupt the closed arrangement of the displayelements. For this purpose, the cover 10 is preferably connected to thepanel housings 20 and 40 by means of spring members 10 a provided ateach corner portions of the cover, so that the cover may resilientlymoved.

FIGS. 4 to 6 are sectional views of the unfolded position of the panelhousings 20 and 40.

As shown in FIG. 4, the display elements 2 and 4 are mounted on thedisplay housings 20 and 40, respectively. When the panel housings 20 and40 are unfolded, the sidewalls thereof come into contact or closearrangement together with the display elements 2 and 4.

The display elements 2 and 4 are mounted on the top of the adjacentsidewalls of the panel housings 20 and 40, respectively, so that thedisplay elements 2 and 4 may be adjacently arranged when the panelhousings 20 and 40 are unfolded. It is preferred that the upper portionsof the sidewalls are cut off to form an openings 8 b so that the side ofeach of the display elements 2 and 4 may come into contact or beadjacently arranged through the openings 8 b.

That is, when the panel housings 20 and 40 are unfolded, the displayelements 2 and 4 coming into contact through the openings 8 b of theadjacent sidewalls of the panel housings make a large-sized screen.

Circuit boards 25 and 45 and plates 26 and 46 for supporting the displayelements 2 and 4 are provided in the panel housings 20 and 40. In thedrawing, the cover is omitted for simplicity of drawing. As shown inFIGS. 2 and 3, the cover 10 does not cover the side of the displayelements 2 and 4 and is arranged behind the display elements, when thepanel housings 20 and 40 are unfolded.

The extended line of the rotation center A is met with the top surfaceof covering parts 24. That is, the height of the rotation center A isidentical with that of the covering parts.

FIG. 5 shows an embodiment having a protecting member 14 at the top ofthe display element. As shown in the drawing, uneven-layers 24 a and 20c are formed at the covering parts 24 and display housings 20 and 40,respectively. The protecting member 14 is provided at the covering parts24, so that the sidewalls of the display elements 2 and 4, and the frontas a screen may be protected. The sidewall of the protecting member 14is thinner than the front, hereby minimizing the border 8 as anon-display area. The sidewall of the protecting member 14 should bethinner and strong and it is preferable a metal film, or a syntheticfilm coated with metals or nonorganic material.

An optical means 27 such as a microprism or a microlens may be providedunder the protecting member 14. The optical means may be integral withthe protecting member. The thickness of the protecting member is below 1mm to 2 mm, preferably 0.5 mm.

FIG. 6 is a view of an embodiment having a border at each side of thepanel housings 20 and 40. When the panel housings are unfolded, theborders 20 a and 40 a are positioned between the adjacent two displayelements 2 and 4. The borders 20 a and 40 a cover the openings 8 b ofthe sidewalls of the panel housings. Accordingly, the display elementsmay be adjacently arranged via the openings 8 b or the borders 20 a and40 a.

The border 20 a and 40 a is thinner than other portions of the panelhousing, or the thickness is preferable below 0.5 mm to 1 mm.

Accordingly, in the case that as shown in FIG. 4, the openings 8 b areformed at the sidewalls of the panel housings 20 and 40, the adjacentsidewalls of the display elements may come into contact. As shown inFIGS. 5 and 6, in the case that the protecting members 14 and border 20a and 40 a are formed at the panel housings, the display elements may bearranged within the distance below 4 mm to 5 mm, preferable below 2 mmto 3 mm.

That is, according to the present invention, the display elements 2 and4 may be closely arranged to form a large-size screen.

FIGS. 7 to 9 show a mount for mounting a display panel.

Conventionally, the display elements 2 and 4 indicate display panels 2 aand a mount 160 provided with driving circuit boards 40 and backlight30. The sidewall of the mount 160 corresponding to the border 8 is cutoff, thereby minimizing the non-display area between the displayelements 2 and 4. For this purpose, connecting portions 160 e and 160 fare correspondingly formed at the mount 160.

The mount 160 are provided with a connecting portion 161 in which a hole161 a is formed so as to mount on the panel housing 20 or 40 or chassis16. In this embodiment, the connecting portion is fixed on the border 8,thereby minimizing the non-display area.

FIG. 8 shows alternative mount having the open typed connecting portions160 e and 160 f.

FIG. 9 shows another mount, in which the connecting portions 160 e and160 f are formed thinner than other portions of the mount, preferablyless than 0.3 mm to 0.5 mm. In FIG. 9, the thinner connecting portions160 e and 160 f are depicted in dotted lines. The backlight and displaypanels 2 a or 4 a are mounted on the supporting part of the mount.

FIGS. 10 to 12 show a display element enclosed by chassis.

The chassis 16, which is made of aluminum, encloses the display panel 2a, the driving circuit boards 2 b and 2 c which is a conventional filmtype.

The display elements 2 and 4 means an assembly of the display panel 2 a,a driving circuit board 40 and a backlight 30 which are enclosed by thechassis 16.

The driving circuit boards 2 b and 2 c are folded to an outer electrode2 k of the display panel 2 a and mounted on the mount 160. The drivingcircuit boards are folded to the electrode 2 k which is connected to theupper plate 2 i and lower plate 2 j, respectively, so that the size ofthe assembled display element is more reduced.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view showing that the display panel 2 a, circuitboard and backlight 30 are enclosed by the chassis 16. The upper part ofthe display panel 2 a at the border 8 is not covered by the chassis 16to minimize the non-display area.

In the present invention, the border 8 indicates the portions of thedisplay elements 2 and 4 which are closely arranged when the displayelements are unfolded.

Also, the connecting portions 16 a of the chassis 16 covers thesidewalls of the display elements, respectively and is thinner thatother portions for minimizing the non-display area.

The chassis 16 may be fixed to the panel housings 20 and 40 by theconnecting portion. At this time the connection portion is mounted onthe border 8 of the panel housings 20 and 40 to minimize the non-displayarea.

FIG. 12 is a view showing the chassis having the open typed connectingportion.

In this embodiment, the border 8 corresponding to the sidewalls of thedisplay elements to be closely arranged is cut off and opened.Accordingly, the sidewalls of the display panels shown in FIG. 12 may beexposed via the opened connection portions.

FIG. 13 is a view showing the portable display device in a foldedposition. When the display device is in a folded position, the sidewallsof the display elements 2 and 4 are exposed at the sides of the panelhousings 20 and 40.

Also, an connection cable 83 for electrically connecting the circuits inthe panel housings 20 and 40 is exposed. The connection cable 83 is forexample a flexible printed circuit, of which the path is formed in theopenings 81 and 82 at the sidewalls of the panel housings 20 and 40.

The other type of the openings 81 and 82 for connection cable may beformed at the outside of the display elements 2 and 4.

FIG. 14 is a view showing the display housing with the display elementsassembled.

As shown in the drawing, the opening 81 for the connection cable isformed at the sidewall 20 of the display element, through which theconnection cable is outwardly extended. The circuits of the panelhousings 20 and 40 may be selectively connected by means of a connector83 a.

A recess 6 a is formed at the both edge portions of the panel housings,respectively and a connecting member 6 is provided therein for pivotallycoupling the panel housings.

FIG. 15 is an exploded view showing the chassis with the connectioncable assembled with the panel housing.

The display element 4 is enclosed by the chassis 16 and is coupled tothe outside circuit via the connection cable 83 and connector 83 a. Thedisplay element 4 enclosed by the chassis 16 is mounted on the panelhousing 40 and the connection cable comes out through the opening 82.

Accordingly, the display elements 2 and 4 in the panel housings 20 and40 may be driven by an output signal from the main driver provided inthe panel housing 20.

When the chassis 16 is mounted on the panel housing 40, the edges on thetop of the display element 4 is covered a covering parts 44 forprotection thereof.

As shown in FIG. 13, when the portable display device is in the foldedposition, the connection cable 83 is exposed at the sidewalls 20 a and40 a. The exposed connection cable 83 may be covered by the cover 10 asshown in FIGS. 2 and 3. Accordingly, the connection cable 83 is extendedbetween the cover 10 and sidewalls of the panel housings 20 and 40.

For this purpose, the connection cable 83 is arranged at the inner sideof the cover 10 and the cover can be received in the recess 60.Accordingly, the connection cable 83 which is flexible and likely to bedamaged may be protected by the cover.

FIG. 16 is a partial view showing the connection cable in the portabledisplay device.

FIG. 16 shows the display device in which the openings 81 a and 82 a areformed as depicted in the dotted lines in FIG. 13. Whine the displaydevice is folded, a gap 8″ is formed between the adjacent boards 8′ ofthe display elements 2 and 4 and the connection cable 83 can be seenthrough the gap 8″.

Accordingly, a cover is needed for covering the connection cable at theinner side, when the display elements are folded.

FIGS. 17 and 18 show an inner cover for the connection cable.

FIG. 17 is a view showing the panel housing provided with the innercover 84, which covers the connection cable at the lower part of theportion 20 b for mounting the display element of the sidewall 20 a ofthe panel housing. The connection cable 83, which is exposed as shown inFIG. 16, may be covered by the inner cover 84.

FIG. 18 shows the panel housing with the inner cover exploded.

The inner cover 84 is provided with the two pairs of protrusions 84 aand 84 b at the both sides thereof. A slot 81 c is formed at both uppersidewalls of the openings 81 a of the so as to slide the inner cover 84therein. The protrusions 84 a and 84 b engage the slots 81 c so that theinner cover is slidingly maintained therein.

That is, one pair of protrusions 84 a are engaged with the slots 81 c inthe panel housing 20 and the other pair of protrusions 84 b are engagedwith the slots 81 c in the panel housing 40 (not shown in the drawing).The body of the inner cover 84 c is slidingly maintained in the upper ofthe opening.

Furthermore, the inner cover is preferably made of rubber or plasticmaterials which are opaque.

Also, the wide of the body 84 b of the inner cover is wider than that ofthe display elements 2 and 4. In this case, when the display device isunfolded, the inner cover may cover the entire gap 8″ between theadjacent borders 8′.

FIGS. 19 and 20 shows signal cables.

When the signal cable 83′ is cylindrical, the space occupied by thecable is reduced.

FIG. 20 shows a signal cable of flexible printed circuit type, which isflexible to be readily bent.

FIGS. 21 to 24 illustrate pivotal connecting structure for the displayhousings.

In accordance with the present invention, the connecting means 6 has anaxle structure so that one panel housing 20 or 40 may be unfolded orfolded.

FIG. 21 is a bottom view showing the structure of the connecting means6, FIG. 22 is a partially sectional view showing the center of theconnecting means 6.

As shown in FIG. 23, when the panel housings 20 and 40 are unfolded, thesurfaces (L and M) come into contact each other, and when the panelhousings are folded, the surfaces (I and J) of the sidewalls of thepanel housings contact each other.

FIG. 24 shows the center of the connecting means. The rotational centerof the connecting means 6 is the point of intersection of the lineextended from the contacted surfaces (I and J) and the line extendedfrom the contacted surfaces (L and M).

The panel housings may be unfolded within 180°.

However, the rotational center should not be consistent with theintersection mentioned above, but may be positioned within the dottedcircles (q) shown in FIGS. 22 and 24 and the diameter of the circles (q)is approximately within ⅓ of the diameter of the connection means.

Furthermore, the connecting means 6 as an axle are provided at both sideedges of the panel housings 20 and 40 such that the connecting meansshould not interrupt the close arrangement of the display elements 2 and4, when the panel housings are unfolded.

FIGS. 25 and 28 show another embodiment in which the connecting meansserves as the path of the signal cable.

The connecting means 6 comprises a cap typed connecting member 61 and ainsertion typed connecting member 62 which is inserted into theconnecting member 61. The connecting members 61 and 62 are cylindricaland when they are assembled to a axle, the inner space thereof form apath for the signal cable 83.

FIG. 25 shows the cap typed connecting member 61, which is provided onthe recess 6 a formed at the panel housing 20.

FIG. 26 is a side view in the direction of the arrow A and FIG. 27 is aside view in the direction of the arrow B.

FIG. 28 is a perspective view showing the cap typed connecting member isexploded.

A hole 6 b is formed at the bottom of the recess 6 a and a hole 61 a iscorrespondingly formed at the cap typed connecting member 61. The innerend of the cap typed connecting member is blind and the other end isopening for insertion of the connecting member 62. When the cap typedconnecting member is assembled at the recess, the holes 6 b and 61 ashould be positioned to face each other. Accordingly, the connectingcable 83 or 83′ from the panel housing 20 may be connected to the otherpanel housing 40 via the hole 61 a of the cap typed member and the hole6 b of the recess.

Also, the cap typed connecting member 61 may be integrally assembledwith the recess of the panel housing 20, in this case a hole may beformed at the bordering portion thereof.

FIGS. 29 to 32 show the insertion typed connecting member and theassociated panel housing.

FIG. 29 shows that the insertion typed connecting member 62 is mountedon the recess 6 a of the panel housing 40. The connecting member 62 isformed with a hole 62 a opening to the inner space to serve as a path ofthe connecting cable 83 and 83′. A hole is formed at the bottom of therecess 6 a of the panel housing 40, which faces the connecting member62. Also, the insertion typed connecting member 62 may be integrallyassembled with the recess of the panel housing 40 as described above.FIG. 30 is a front view in the direction of the arrow A in FIG. 29 andFIG. 31 is a side view in the direction of the arrow B in FIG. 29.

The detailed structure of the insertion typed connecting member is shownin FIG. 32.

In FIG. 32, the insertion typed connecting member 62 is separated fromthe panel housing 40 and its detailed structure is depicted. Theinsertion typed connecting member 62 and the end plate 62 e areexplosively shown in the drawing.

A hole 62 d is formed at the portion of the insertion typed connectingmember 62 contacting to the bottom of the recess 6 a, and another hole62 a is formed at the inserted portion opposite to the hole 62 d. Also,a hole is formed at the bottom of the recess 6 a of the panel housing40.

When the insertion typed connecting member 62 is integrally assembledwith the recess of the panel housing 40, a hole is preferably formed attheir adjacent or contacting position.

The positions of the recess 6 a and the insertion typed connectingmember 62 is explained in detail referring to the coordinates given atright side in FIG. 32. When the hole 62 d of the connecting member 62 isformed at the third area, the hole 62 a should be formed over the firstand second areas. That is, the hole 62 a is positioned over thesymmetrical areas at the opposite angle and right angle to the hole 62d.

Such positioning of the hole 62 a is caused by the rotating of theconnecting member 61. That is, the positions facing of the hole 61 a andthe connecting member 61 upon folding of the panel housings 20 and 40,and upon unfolding thereof are different.

The insertion typed connecting member 62 is inserted into the cap typedconnecting member 61, so that the panel housings 20 and 40 may bepivotally coupled as shown in FIG. 1. That is, the recess 6 a formounting the cap typed connecting member 61 is formed at the panelhousing 20 and the recess 6 a for mounting the insertion typedconnecting member 62 is formed at the panel housing 40.

As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the connecting cable 83 or 83′ from themain body (not shown in drawings) of the panel housing 20 is extendedthrough the hole 6 b of the recess 6 a formed a the panel housing 20,the hole 61 a of the cap typed connecting member 61, the holes 62 a and62 d of the insertion typed connecting member 62 and the hole 62 d ofthe recess 6 a formed at the panel housing 40 to the display element 4in the panel housing 40.

However, alternatively, the insertion typed connecting member 62 may beprovided at the recess of the panel housing 20 and the insertion typedconnecting member 62 may be provided at the recess of the panel housing40. The connection cable 83 and 83′ may be arranged in reversed sequenceas described above.

The main body in the panel housing 20 and the display element 2 aredirectly connected each other by the circuit lines.

Due to the arrangement of the connection cable 83 or 83′ through the captyped connecting member 61 and the insertion typed connecting member 62,the cable is safely protected and the inner space for the cableconnection may be reduced.

FIG. 33 shows another embodiment of the cap typed connecting member andthe insertion typed connecting member.

The panel housing 20 includes a main body and the panel housing 40 isaffiliated therewith. The panel housing 20 may include input buttons 110and menu selection buttons 70 as input means.

The structure of a cap typed connecting member 61′ and an insertiontyped connecting member 62′ and the arrangement of the connection cable83 and 83′ are the same as described above.

FIG. 34 shows the cap typed connecting member 61′ and insertion typedconnecting member 62′ in detail.

That is, the insertion typed connecting member 62′ is inserted into thecap typed connecting member 61′.

FIGS. 35 and 36 show the second panel housing and the insertion typedconnecting member.

FIG. 35 shows the assembled panel housing and insertion typed connectingmember, while FIG. 36 is an exploded state. As shown in the drawing,holes 6 c′ and 62 d′ is formed at the position that the insertion typedconnecting member 62′ faces the recess 6 a.

The hole 62 a′ is opposite to the hole 62 d′. If the hole 62 d′ ispositioned at the fourth area, the hole 62 a′ is formed over the first,second and third areas in the coordinates.

That is, a portion or half portion of the cap typed connecting member61′ is arranged under the top surface 20 c of the panel housing 20, andthe insertion typed connecting member 62′ is provided at the panelhousing 40. The holes 62 a are formed at the positions of the insertiontyped connecting member 62′ facing the hole 61 a′ upon folding of thepanel housings and facing the hole 61′ upon unfolding of the panelhousings.

FIG. 37 shows the first panel housing and the cap typed connectingmember.

A portion or half portion of the cap typed connecting member 61′ isarranged under the top surface 20 c of the panel housing 20, and a hole61 a′ is formed at the position that the cap typed connecting member 61′faces the associated panel housing.

When the cap typed connecting member 61′ and the insertion typedconnecting member 62′ are assembled together, a recess 6 a′ for mountingthe insertion typed connecting member 62′ is formed at the second panelhousing 20.

The arrangement of the connection cable 83 and 83′ in the cap typedconnecting member 61′ and the insertion typed connecting member 62′shown in FIGS. 33 to 37 is the same with those of the connection cable83 and 83′ in the cap typed connecting member 61 and the insertion typedconnecting member 62 shown in FIGS. 12 and 13.

FIG. 38 shows another embodiment that the insertion typed connectingmember is provided at the first panel housing.

A portion or half portion of the insertion typed connecting member 62′is arranged under the top surface 20 c of the first panel housing 20,and the cap typed connecting member 61′ is provided at the recess 6 a′of the second panel housing 40. The recess 6 a is formed at the firstpanel housing 20 for mounting the cap typed connecting member 61′assembled with the insertion typed connecting member 62′.

FIGS. 39 to 41 show another embodiment of the present invention having astationary connecting member and a pivotal connecting member.

FIGS. 39 and 40 show panel housings 20 and 40 which are connected by twoconnecting members 71 and 72 to be foldable.

FIG. 41 shows explosively the panel housings and connecting members 71and 72. The connecting members 71 and 72 have a fixing protrusion 71 band 72 b at one end, respectively, which is pivotally fixed to thegrooves 71 c and 72 c formed at the panel housings 20 and 40,respectively. The other ends of the connecting members 71 and 72 areformed as the pivotal portions 71 a and 72 a which are connected eachother. The pivotal portion 71 a is formed as a hole and the pivotalportion 72 a is formed as a protrusion for pivotal connection.

The pivotal center of the pivotal portions 71 a and 72 a has the sameposition with that shown in FIGS. 21 to 24. The pivotal center (K) inthe drawings may be positioned within the area having a diametercorresponding ⅓ of the diameter of the connecting members.

FIGS. 42 and 43 show another embodiment of the connecting members.

FIG. 42 shows a structure of the connecting members.

A cylindrical center shaft 62-1 is provided in the two cap typedconnecting members 6-1 and 6-2.

Also, the two connecting members 61-1 and 61-2 are mounted on the recess6 a formed at the panel housings 20 and 40, respectively, so that theconnecting members may be rotated around the center shaft 62-1. Thecenter shaft 62-1 is attached to the recess of each of the panelhousings.

FIG. 43 is an view showing that the two connecting members 61-1 and 61-2and the center shaft are exploded. Holes 61-a and 61-2 a are formed atthe connecting members 61-1 and 61-2, respectively for giving a path ofthe connection cable. The two holes 61-1 a and 61-2 a are communicatedwith the hole 62 a of the center shaft 62-1.

The each of the holes 61-1 a and 61-2 a are formed over ¼ length of thecircumference of the connecting members 61-1 and 61-2 as a path for theconnection cable 83. The two holes 62-1 a and 62-2 a are formed over ½length of the circumference of the connecting members 62-1 and 61-2 as apath for the connection cable 83. The holes 61-1 a and 61-2 a aresymmetrically positioned with the holes 62-1 a and 62-1 b.

The center shaft 62-1 and the two cap typed connecting members 6-1 and6-2 are mounted on the associated recesses 6 a of the panel housings, sothat the hole 6 b of the recess and the holes 61-1 a and 61-2 a of thecap typed connecting members are communicated with each other.

Also, the outside of the center shaft is attached to the bottom of therecess or the outside of the panel housings 20 and 40, so that thecenter shaft 62-1 may be a rotational center.

Having described a few particular embodiments of the invention, variousalterations, modifications and improvements will readily maid by thoseskilled in the art.

Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to the embodimentsdescribed above and it is obvious that alterations and modifications andimprovements by this disclosure are intended to be within the spirit andscope of the invention. The invention is limited only as defined in thefollowing claims and equivalents thereto.

As described above, the portable display device of the invention isfoldable and when the display device is unfoldable to make a large-sizescreen, the flexible and weak connection cable is not shown and isprotected by covering it by means of the cover.

What is claimed is:
 1. A portable display device, comprising: at leasttwo panel housings that have displays; a connection cable thatelectrically connects the panel housings to each other; an opening thatis formed each of the panel housing and through which the connectioncable passes; and a border in which displays are contiguous to eachother when the panel housings are unfolded, wherein the two panelhousings are joined so as to be folded and unfolded and the two displaysare contiguous to each other with a clearance of within 2 mm to 3 mmwhen the panel housings are unfolded, wherein a protecting membermounted on the panel housings or a sidewall of the panel housingprotects the sides of the displays in the border, wherein the sidewallsof the panel housings for protecting the sides of the displays in theborder have a thickness less than 1 mm, and the protecting member have athickness less than 1 mm, wherein even when the displays are unfoldedand contiguous to each other, the sidewalls of the panel housings or theprotecting members mounted on the panel housings are interposed betweenthe displays, wherein the connection cable is drawn out of the panelhousings through the openings, and wherein the connection cableelectrically connects the panel housings to each other through the panelhousings and a cover, which covers the sides of the displays when thepanel housings are folded but does not cover the sides of the displayswhen the panel housings are unfolded.
 2. The portable display device ofclaim 1, wherein an optical member is disposed on the sidewalls of thepanel housings in the border in which the panel housings are joined toeach other.
 3. The portable display device of claim 1, wherein thedisplays are disposed on a mount or a chassis, and a side of the mountor the chassis is opened or is less than 0.5 mm in thickness in theborder where the displays are joined together.
 4. The portable displaydevice of claim 1, further comprising axes that serve as connectionmembers when the panel housings are folded and unfolded, whereinrecesses are formed on the panel housing so that the axes are mountedthereon, and the recesses are disposed at both edges of the display andare on the upper parts of the panel housing when the panel housing andthe other panel housing are unfolded.
 5. The portable display device ofclaim 1, wherein the one panel housing is thicker than the other panelhousing.
 6. The portable display device of claim 5, wherein a part inwhich the panel housings are folded is disposed more inside than theborder at the edge of a main body part.
 7. The portable display deviceof claim 1, wherein an axis serving as the center of rotation is locatedat the connection axes, and two axes are disposed on both sides of theaxis serving as the center of rotation.
 8. The portable display deviceof claim 1, wherein the axes and the panel housings are formed as anintegrated body.
 9. A portable display device comprising: at least twopanel housings that have displays; a connection cable that electricallyconnects the panel housings to each other; a border in which thedisplays are contiguous to each other when the panel housings areunfolded; axes that serve as connection members when the panel housingsare folded and unfolded; and, recesses that are formed on the panelhousings, so that the axes are mounted thereon, wherein the two displaysare contiguous to each other with a clearance of within 4 mm to 5 mmwhen the panel housings are unfolded, wherein protecting members mountedon the panel housings or sidewalls of the panel housing protect sides ofthe displays in the border, wherein the sidewalls of the panel housingsin the border is thinner than the other parts of the panel housings orhave a thickness less than 1 mm, and the protecting members have athickness less than 1.5 mm, wherein even when the displays are unfoldedand contiguous to each other, the sidewalls of the panel housings or theprotecting members mounted on the panel housings are interposed betweenthe displays, wherein the recesses are disposed at both edges of thedisplay when the recesses are formed in the border of the panel housing,and the recesses are disposed on the upper part of the panel housingwhen the panel housing and the other panel housing are unfolded, and,wherein the axes include two axes, holes of the recesses and holes ofthe axes are disposed in a part where the recesses encounter the axesdisposed close to the displays among the axes, and the connection cableconnects the panel housings together through the holes and the two axes.10. The portable display device of claim 9, wherein the optical memberis disposed on the sidewalls of the panel housings in the border inwhich the panel housings are joined to each other.
 11. The portabledisplay device of claim 9, wherein the displays are disposed on a mountor the chassis, and a side of the mount or a chassis is opened or isless than 0.5 mm in thickness in the border where the displays arejoined to each other.
 12. The portable display device of claim 9,wherein the holes of the two axes are disposed opposite to each otherwhen the holes are formed on both the two axes in the part where the twoaxes encounter the recesses.
 13. The portable display device of claim 9,wherein the one panel housing is thicker than the other panel housing.14. The portable display device of claim 13, wherein a part in which thepanel housings are folded is disposed more inside positioned than theborder at the edge of a main body part.
 15. The portable display deviceof claim 9, further comprising a cover that serves to cover the sides ofthe displays when the panel housings are folded but not to cover thesides of the displays when the panel housings are unfolded.
 16. Theportable display device of claim 9, wherein the axes and the panelhousings are formed as an integrated body.